John Jupinko was born in 1924 in West Virginia. He resided in Baltimore, Maryland, prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on November 4, 1943, at Camp Blanding, Florida. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed in the building of aircraft, residing in Baltimore, Maryland, and also as Single, without dependents.

John served in the 860th Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Tail Gunner on the B-17G #43-38480 during World War II. He was Killed in Action in the crash of his plane on September 30, 1944.

B-17G #43-38480 took off, with a crew of 9, from Station 152, England, on a bombing mission over Bielefeld, Germany. Near the target, they were hit by the debris from B-17G #43-38115 which had accidentally been hit by bombs from a B-17 above them and exploded. B-17G #43-38480 then crashed near Wahnbeckerheide, southeast of Bielefeld, Germany. Two crew members survived the crash.

Sgt Jupinko is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium.

B-17G #43-38480 crew members who perished were:
Austin, Allen L. ~ FO, Navigator, IL
Bingman, Thomas C. ~ Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, VA
Jupinko, John ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, MD
LaFlame, Edison W. ~ 2nd Lt, Pilot, PA
Levine, Morris J. ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, CA
Malloy, Joseph P. ~ Sgt, Waist Gunner, DC
O'Neill, Vincent M. ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, IL

The survivors were:
Howard Otip ~ Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Jack Glide ~ Radio Operator

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com